Jack Adrift: Fourth Grade Without a Clue
Encyclopedia
Jack Adrift: Fourth Grade Without a Clue is a 2003 children's novel by Jack Gantos
, chronicling his 4th grade year in Cape Hatteras
, North Carolina
, only calling the main character Jack Henry instead of Jack Gantos. It is the first of the Jack Henry Adventures series.
to their new lives in Cape Hatteras
. On the way, Jack accidentally starts an argument between his two parents because his father will tell lies just to win people over, while his mother will be honest no matter what.
When they get to Cape Hatteras, a guard stops them because the island is covered with water. Jack's father lies their way onto the island. Everyone in the family is disappointed with their new home, which is a trailer half submerged in the water. Jack meets a new friend, Julian, who likes to stutter and play air guitar
. Jack lies to Julian and tells him that he is from New York City
and that his father is an admiral
. After that, Jack realizes that he is more like his dad.
on his new teacher, Miss Noelle. Miss Noelle learns about his crush when she keeps Jack after school for not writing a report about his dreams. Miss Noelle tells him that some of the best friendships start with a crush.
Meanwhile, the principal of First Flight Elementary, Mrs. Nivlash, asks to see Jack. She tells him her plan to allow gum chewing at the school. However, if someone sticks just one piece of gum, the privilege will be revoked. Mrs. Nivlash appoints Jack to become the school's "respect detective" - someone to report if gum is being stuck to things.
Jack hates his new duty as a respect detective, so he just tells Mrs. Nivlash all the good things kids have been doing, prompting her to stop being suspicious.
, so the Henry family decides to throw him a big birthday party. Jack gets him a lucky Buddha
statuette, which his father begins to believe in after it brings him a streak of good luck.
One day, however, Jack's father accidentally casts the Buddha into the ocean, prompting him to realize that all along, he just got lucky.
Jack Gantos
John Bryan Gantos, Jr., better known as Jack Gantos is an American author of children's books renowned for his portrayal of fictional Joey Pigza, a boy with ADHD. Gantos has won a number of awards, including the Newbery Honor, the Printz Honor, and the Sibert Honor from the American Library...
, chronicling his 4th grade year in Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras is a cape on the coast of North Carolina. It is the point that protrudes the farthest to the southeast along the northeast-to-southwest line of the Atlantic coast of North America...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, only calling the main character Jack Henry instead of Jack Gantos. It is the first of the Jack Henry Adventures series.
Chapter 1: Flotsam and Jetsam
We meet the Henry family as they are driving from their small western Pennsylvania townMount Pleasant, Pennsylvania
Mount Pleasant is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It stands 45 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Population in 1900, 4,745 people; in 1910, 5,812 people; and in 1940, 5,824 people...
to their new lives in Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras is a cape on the coast of North Carolina. It is the point that protrudes the farthest to the southeast along the northeast-to-southwest line of the Atlantic coast of North America...
. On the way, Jack accidentally starts an argument between his two parents because his father will tell lies just to win people over, while his mother will be honest no matter what.
When they get to Cape Hatteras, a guard stops them because the island is covered with water. Jack's father lies their way onto the island. Everyone in the family is disappointed with their new home, which is a trailer half submerged in the water. Jack meets a new friend, Julian, who likes to stutter and play air guitar
Air guitar
Playing air guitar is a form of dance and movement in which the performer pretends to play rock or heavy metal-style electric guitar, including riffs, solos, etc. Playing an air guitar usually consists of exaggerated strumming and picking motions and is often coupled with loud singing or lip-synching...
. Jack lies to Julian and tells him that he is from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and that his father is an admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
. After that, Jack realizes that he is more like his dad.
Chapter 2: Respect Detective
Jack develops a crushPuppy love
Puppy love is an informal term for feelings of love or infatuation felt by young people during childhood and adolescence, so-called for its resemblance to the adoring, worshipful affection that may be felt by a puppy. 'Simple infatuation is often called a "crush" or "puppy love"...
on his new teacher, Miss Noelle. Miss Noelle learns about his crush when she keeps Jack after school for not writing a report about his dreams. Miss Noelle tells him that some of the best friendships start with a crush.
Meanwhile, the principal of First Flight Elementary, Mrs. Nivlash, asks to see Jack. She tells him her plan to allow gum chewing at the school. However, if someone sticks just one piece of gum, the privilege will be revoked. Mrs. Nivlash appoints Jack to become the school's "respect detective" - someone to report if gum is being stuck to things.
Jack hates his new duty as a respect detective, so he just tells Mrs. Nivlash all the good things kids have been doing, prompting her to stop being suspicious.
Chapter 3: Lucky Buddha
Jack's father is feeling depressedDepression (mood)
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...
, so the Henry family decides to throw him a big birthday party. Jack gets him a lucky Buddha
Buddha
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
statuette, which his father begins to believe in after it brings him a streak of good luck.
One day, however, Jack's father accidentally casts the Buddha into the ocean, prompting him to realize that all along, he just got lucky.